Why Bill Zonnon is a huge steal for the Penguins at pick No.22

After the Pittsburgh Penguins traded pick no. 12 to Philadelphia for picks 22 and 31, Penguins fans were left shocked and in disbelief. The other side of the coin was the question of who will the Penguins select.

The Penguins selected Bill Zonnon with 22nd overall selection in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft and many people were concerned. Well you shouldn't be as Bill Zonnon is an absolute gem of a selection in the first round for the Penguins.

Zonnon's hockey IQ is off the charts, his physical attributes like his height of 6-2 being one of his standout qualities, helps him bring the boom and grind other team's best players down, but also laying and finishing his checks to send that message. This is something the Penguins have been lacking in their identity since they won Back-to-Back Stanley Cups.

Bill's transition from wing to centre also allows the flexibility to be able to move him up and down the lineup once he makes that extra jump to establish himself in the NHL, and become a production machine and physical player for the Penguins as they attempt to return to contention in the words of GM and POHO Kyle Dubas.

Here are the list of his strongest on ice attributes.

1. Zonnon's ability to shoot the puck

Zonnon has this such dead heavy shot which is one of his strongest attributes that contributes to his game in the offensive zone that is a goalies worst nightmare. With proper work, it can be his most eyeing prospect of his game that will lead to success for Penguins hockey come time to contend again and rush in the new era of success in Pittsburgh.

2. Zonnon's patience and vision

Zonnon for a pretty tall and big player has such vision when the puck is on his stick, his ability to wait a play out and put the puck right on the tape of his teammates will be very appealing to head coach Dan Muse and the forward core of the Penguins. The other side of his vision is his hockey vision to know where to be and to stick his body out in front of the net. The Penguins haven't had a player like that since Patric Hornqvist.

3. Silky Mitts time in Pittsburgh

Another strong attribute of Zonnon's is his ability to be silky when the puck is on his stick. From clips shown on draft night he likes to drive the net and wait out the goaltender with his ability to use his hands as a weapon down low or to create space for himself or his teammates.

Kyle Dubas clearly had a vision when he moved pick no.12 and had his eyes set on Bill Zonnon for pick 22, who fell right into his lap and he made no mistake snatching up the 29th ranked prospect of the first round.